By Valerie Zwiers
Last updated: July 22, 2026
Sexual wellness is a legally protected freedom in the US that many countries still criminalize. This Memorial Day (and every day), remember: your ability to buy a vibrator, read honest sex-ed, and pleasure yourself without penalty is a right worth honoring.
Memorial Day is often associated with BBQs, pool floats, and shopping sales with suspiciously large flags on them. But let's not forget its true purpose—honoring those who gave their lives to protect the freedoms we enjoy. Freedom, my friends, includes the freedom to know, love, and explore your body.
Is talking about sexual wellness really illegal somewhere?
Yes. In 2025, there are still countries where even talking about masturbation could land you in trouble. In Saudi Arabia, the UAE, India, Malaysia, and Zimbabwe, sex toys and conversations around solo pleasure are considered obscene, indecent, or outright criminal—with penalties ranging from hefty fines to actual jail time.
So while you're enjoying your long weekend in a land where your buzzing BFF isn't contraband, take a moment to appreciate the freedom to pleasure yourself, each other, or speak openly about it without a prison sentence. It's not a luxury—it's a right we often forget to count.
Why is sexual health considered part of overall health?
The World Health Organization defines sexual health as a state of physical, emotional, mental, and social well-being related to sexuality — and considers it a fundamental human right. That includes access to safe products, honest information, and judgment-free pleasure.
Let's clear this up: masturbation is not bad. Sex is not shameful. And vibrators are not weapons of mass distraction. They're tools for stress relief, hormone balance, better sleep, healthier pelvic floors, and happier people.
How does self-pleasure actually relieve stress?
Fact: Orgasms release a flood of feel-good chemicals like dopamine, oxytocin, and endorphins—nature's anti-anxiety meds.
Stat: A 2020 study in the Journal of Sexual Medicine found 76% of people reported feeling less stressed after masturbating.
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Can regular self-pleasure balance hormones?
Fact: Regular sexual activity (solo or partnered) may help regulate hormones like estrogen and testosterone, which influence mood, energy, and libido.
Stat: People who masturbate at least once per week report more stable moods and fewer PMS symptoms (Archives of Sexual Behavior, 2018).
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Do orgasms really help you sleep better?
Fact: Orgasms help you fall asleep faster and sleep more deeply. Per the Cleveland Clinic, oxytocin released during orgasm lowers cortisol and supports the wind-down cycle.
Stat: In a National Sleep Foundation study, 64% of people said sex or masturbation helped them sleep better.
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How does regular pleasure support pelvic floor health?
Fact: Orgasms are basically nature's Kegels—they contract and tone your pelvic floor muscles.
Stat: Women who orgasm regularly are 28% less likely to develop pelvic floor dysfunction like urinary leakage or prolapse (International Urogynecology Journal, 2016).
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Are people who prioritize pleasure genuinely happier?
Fact: Sexual satisfaction is strongly linked to mental well-being and overall quality of life.
Stat: A 2023 global survey found individuals who regularly engage in self-pleasure report being 33% happier and 20% more confident.
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US freedom vs. restricted countries: quick comparison
| Freedom | United States | Restricted Countries (examples) |
|---|---|---|
| Buy a vibrator online | Legal | Illegal / banned imports |
| Talk publicly about masturbation | Legal | May be criminal indecency |
| Access sex-ed content | Legal, widely available | Restricted or censored |
| Own an adult toy at home | Legal | Fines or jail in some regions |
Where can I learn more?
- How to Pick Your First Vibrator
- 7 Things Nobody Tells You About Couples' Toys
- Your Pelvic Floor Is the Secret to Better Orgasms
No one's ever died from using a clitoral stimulator. Plenty of people and relationships have suffered from lack of education, access, and shame. If you've been taught to feel guilty about enjoying your body—you're not broken, you're just overdue for a fresh perspective (and maybe a fresh battery).
Because freedom is about more than fireworks. It's about autonomy. It's about pleasure. It's about not needing a passport, apology, or priest to love yourself and each other fully.
Sexual Health is Not a Dirty Word,
Love, VALGINA
www.VALGINA.com